Latest news with #PMKUSUM
Hans India
7 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Progress of solar agri pump scheme reviewed
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has chaired a review meeting on the progress of the solar agriculture pumps scheme, KUSUM-B, and directed officials to expedite its implementation, officials said on Tuesday. KUSUM-B is Component B of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) scheme, which focuses on the installation of 14 lakh stand-alone solar agriculture pumps for irrigation. Under the scheme, solar-powered agricultural pump sets are being promoted with a 30 per cent subsidy offered by the Central government, 50 per cent given by the State government, and 20 per cent borne by the beneficiary farmers.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Chennithala flags ‘irregularities' in Anert tender
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday renewed his allegation of large scale corruption in the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert). He accused Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty and senior officials of being involved in alleged irregularities in a ₹240-crore tender issued by the agency. He also demanded the immediate removal of Anert CEO and called for a forensic audit of the agency's transactions over the past five years. For the fourth consecutive day, Mr. Chennithala released documents alleging misuse of power in tendering process and posed nine questions to Mr. Krishnankutty. 'The Minister cannot remain a mute spectator. This is not a private matter but one involving public money,' he told mediapersons in Kannur on Sunday. 'I made the allegation in public and any explanation must be given publicly and not behind closed doors with the Chief Minister,' he added. He alleged that a tender worth ₹240 crore was floated illegally despite the CEO's limit being ₹5 crore. 'How did the CEO get the authority? On whose order was this tender floated? If we get the answer to that, the real players behind the corruption will be exposed,' Mr. Chennithala said, adding that documents related to the tenders are in his possession. He further claimed that the CEO, a temporary employee and consultancy firm EY were at the centre of irregularites. A contract employees allegedly hired for the just 89 days, handled tender bids that should have been processed by the Finance department. This is a Swapna Suresh model appointment. The nexus involving the CEO, consultant and Minister's office is clear.' he alleged. 'Destruction of evidence' Mr. Chennithala also claimed that Anert's Finance department was deliberately kept in the dark. 'Since my revelations massive file destruction has begun inside Anert. Corruption evidence is being wiped out under the CEO's and consulting firm's leadership,' he alleged. Initially, the Minister said that the matter is being investigated by Electricity Secretary and a report will be submitted within 15 days. Later, the Minister told reporters said that since the Secretrary was not available, the Anert CEO himself will investigate and submit a report. He alleged that a ₹100-crore scam was perpetrated under the PM KUSUM solar scheme. It is a scheme for farmers, with 30% funding from the Centre, 30% from the State and the rest contributed by farmers. The government decided to borrow from NABARD due to insufficient funds. 'Without the knowledge of the Electricity Minister, how can such a massive decisions be taken? The responsibility lies with him too,' he said. He demanded that the Assembly constitute a committee to probe the allegations and called for a forensic audit by an independent agency. 'The CEO must be removed immediately to prevent further destruction of evidence,' Mr. Chennithala said. Responding to the allegations that Youth Congress workers collected funds through an app for the rehabilitation of people affected in Mundakayi, Wayanad, he hit back at the State government alleging a lack of transparency and accountability on its part in the utilisation of funds collected for the rehabilitation of people. Naveen Babu's death On the death of ADM Naveen Babu, Mr. Chennithala alleged that there has been a continuous effort to protect former district panchayat P.P. Divya. 'From the start the government machinery has tried to shield her. That is why the family had to approach the Supreme Court,' he said.
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ramesh Chennithala alleges massive irregularities in Anert solar projects, demands audit and probe by Assembly panel
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has alleged massive irregularities in the implementation of solar power projects by the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert) for the Smart City project in Thiruvananthapuram. Mr. Chennithala has demanded a forensic audit of Anert's finances over the past five years and a simultaneous probe by a committee of the Kerala State Legislative Assembly, which he said were essential to unearth the corruption. Irregularities were rampant in the solar projects implemented by Anert for the fully centrally-funded Thiruvananthapuram Smart City project, he said. He cited instances where price differences of as much as 50% have occurred in the implementation of solar power projects of comparable capacity through different private firms. While it cost ₹38.39 lakh for implementing a 60 kW solar project at the Directorate of Technical Education, a 60 kW project implemented eight months later at the Institute of Land and Disaster Management cost only ₹25.2 lakh, a difference of ₹13.19 lakh, he alleged. Similarly, a 50 kW project was implemented at the Public Works Department at Vikas Bhavan at a cost of ₹33.31 lakh. But a 50 kW system deployed at the Directorate of Backward Classes cost only ₹19.06 lakh, the difference ₹14.25 lakh. Anert has implemented 514 projects over the past two years for the Smart City project, Mr. Chennithala said. These financial discrepancies are also clearly visible in the implementation of the installation of solar pumps under the PM KUSUM scheme, Mr. Chennithala said. While a 10 kW solar plant was installed at the Family Health Centre, Vizhinjam with a guarantee period of ten years, at a cost of ₹4.99 lakh, a 10 kW solar rooftop model under PM KUSUM costs ₹7.13 lakh. In the second instance, the warranty is for seven years. Irregularities in appointments Mr. Chennithala also alleged irregularities in certain appointments linked to Anert. A former executive assistant of Anert CEO Narendra Nath Veluri was employed by a major consultant of Anert at a very high salary, but was reassigned to Anert on deputation the very next day. Presenting documents, Mr. Chennithala said that the officer had left Anert on April 4, 2025, but was deployed as part of the consultant's team in Anert on April 5, which he claimed was highly unethical and suspicious. Mr. Chennithala has accused Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty and the Anert CEO of having a hand in the irregularities. Mr. Chennithala has demanded a clarification from the Minister on his allegations. Mr. Krishnankutty was not available for comment on Mr. Chennithala's charges. Earlier this month, Mr. Chennithala had demanded an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the ₹240 crore tender for the installation of solar pumps under the PM Kusum scheme.
Times of Oman
20-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Indian consumer durable companies likely to see moderate growth in this quarter: Goldman Sachs
New Delhi: Consumer durable companies in India are expected to report moderate growth in the first quarter of the financial year 2025-26 (April-June), according to a recent report by Goldman Sachs. The report mentioned that the overall growth for consumer durables and electrical companies is likely to slow down in the current quarter. It stated "We expect consumer durables and electricals companies' growth to moderate this quarter. While B2B categories have a better outlook". While the business-to-business (B2B) categories are performing better due to strong government capital expenditure in April and continued work on major government-led projects like PM-KUSUM, RDSS, and Bharatnet, the business-to-consumer (B2C) categories are expected to see slower growth during this period. According to the report, demand from B2C segments is still weak, and the real estate-driven demand has not yet picked up. This is especially visible in the cooling products category like air-conditioners and refrigerators, where sales have been on the lower side. As a result, the overall growth expectations for companies covered under consumer durables have come down for this quarter. Goldman Sachs added that although some positive macroeconomic factors like lower inflation, tax cuts, and favourable interest rates are present, their impact on demand and consumer sentiment is likely to be seen only in the second half of FY26. The report also highlighted that companies are facing margin pressures due to negative operating leverage, which means their fixed costs remain high while revenue growth is not strong enough to offset them. However, this margin pressure is being partially managed by lower commodity prices and selective price increases in products. In terms of raw material prices, copper and aluminium have seen a month-on-month increase in May and June. This may lead to some restocking by companies.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM to attend renewable energy workshop on June 13
Visakhapatnam: The citywill host the South Zone Regional Workshop organised by the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) on June 13. Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, Union minister Prahlad Venkatesh Joshi and others from Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, and Karnataka will participate in the event. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Representatives from MNRE, power distribution companies, and members of the National Solar Energy Federation of India will also be in attendance. From Andhra Pradesh, energy minister Gottipati Ravikumar, special chief secretary of the energy department K. Vijayanand, NEDCAP VC & MD M. Kamalakar Babu, APEPDCL CMD Prithvi Tej Immadi, APSPDCL CMD K. Santosh Rao, and APCPDCL CMD P. Pullareddy, among others, will attend. The workshop will primarily discuss the implementation of govt schemes like PM SuryaGhar and PM KUSUM, and the importance of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower. MSID:: 121782266 413 |
